The alarming findings presented in the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report detail the countries, territories, and areas experiencing the most severe air pollution in 2023. In order to conduct a thorough analysis for 2023, air quality scientists at IQAir examined data from more than 30,000 air monitoring stations in 7,812 locations spanning 134 countries, territories, and regions.
Key Findings of the IQAir 6th Annual World Air Quality Report
- Only seven countries met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline (an annual average of 5 µg/m3 or less): Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
- The top five most polluted countries in 2023 were:
- Bangladesh (79.9 µg/m3) more than 15 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- Pakistan (73.7 µg/m3) more than 14 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- India (54.4 µg/m3) more than 10 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- Tajikistan (49.0 µg/m3) more than 9 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- Burkina Faso (46.6 µg/m3) more than 9 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
- A total of 124 (92.5%) out of 134 countries and regions exceeded the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 µg/m3.
PM2.5 data is presented in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) units and includes the most recent annual PM2.5 guideline established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report offers an exhaustive examination of atmospheric pollution levels across the globe during 2023. This comprehensive document compiles measurements of PM2.5 air quality from a wide-ranging network of 7,812 urban centres in 134 countries, territories, and regions. More than 30,000 air monitoring stations operated by various organizations—including research institutions, government agencies, universities and academic bodies, non-profit organizations, private corporations, and citizen science initiatives—contributed to the data forming this report’s basis.
Why Air Quality Matters
Given that 99% of the world’s population breathes contaminated air, airborne pollutants pose a grave threat to global health. Cancer, strokes, heart and lung diseases, and other ailments are among those for which air pollution increases the risk of inhalation; this causes more than 6.7 million premature fatalities annually – more than AIDS and malaria combined.
“Almost everyone breathes polluted air. But we are not all breathing the same air – differences in air pollution levels often match other inequalities. Exposure at any level can have health implications that impair quality of life and come with costs for the individual, our societies and our economies,” said Martina Otto, the head of the secretariat of the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition, in an interview published by UNEP on the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, held annually on 7 September.
Otto underscored the substantial hazards of air pollution, specifically PM2.5, to human well-being. The inflammation-causing potential of these invisible particles, which are forty times smaller than the width of a human hair, is profound. Concerningly, they have the potential to access the bloodstream and cause harm to the brain and heart.
The effects of pollution are extensive, encompassing chronic ailments such as cancer, heart disease, and strokes and acute concerns, including irritation of the sinuses, pharynx, and eyes, respiratory challenges, coughing, and asthma exacerbations.
Air pollution endangers youngsters, the elderly, and pregnant women. Genetics, health, diet, and sociodemographics affect their vulnerability. There is also evidence that air pollution during pregnancy can cause low birth weight, early delivery, and stunted growth. In addition, air pollution may also cause diabetes and cognitive deficits in youngsters, according to accumulating evidence.
To Conclude: Good Air Quality Is “A Universal Human Right”
“A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a universal human right. In many parts of the world the lack of air quality data delays decisive action and perpetuates unnecessary human suffering. Air quality data saves lives. Where air quality is reported, action is taken, and air quality improves,” states Frank Hammes, Global CEO, IQAir.
To see the air quality in your region, you can use the interactive Air Quality Standards tool provided by the World Health Organization.